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Cost of Bret Harte Elementary School arson fire estimated at $3 million

Modesto Bee (CA)

Feb. 18--Modesto City Schools will build a permanent replacement of a wing at Bret Harte Elementary School that was destroyed by fire in late December, a spokeswoman said.

The Dec. 29 fire destroyed two fifth-grade classrooms, a computer lab and the library on the north side of the campus in south Modesto. Investigators said in January that three minors were responsible for the arson.

Portable structures have housed the fifth-grade classes, the computers and library since Bret Harte students returned from holiday break Jan. 16. But the portables leased through the district's insurance carrier are temporary, the district said Thursday.

Becky Fortuna, spokeswoman for Modesto City Schools, said an architect is working on the engineering and design for replacement of the wing. The school district is waiting to receive billings for services before tallying the actual costs of the fire.

A preliminary estimate suggested the total costs associated with the fire could reach $3 million. The school district will submit insurance claims to cover costs of demolition, refurbishing and replacement of the building, Fortuna said.

The December fire, which occurred during the winter break, also caused smoke and heat damage to a second wing at Bret Harte. Those classrooms were cleaned and restored with new carpet and windows before students returned to campus last month.

Adolpho Lopez, the trustee representing the area, said he is pleased with the school district's response to the fire damage.

"We need the kids to have those classrooms available to them," Lopez said. "They had temporary portables in place on the first day back from the winter break."